New Toy: 2014 Giant XtC 27.5 (2) Mountain Bike

My first love, mountain biking, is being rekindled with the long awaited arrival of my newest toy: The 2014 Giant XtC 27.5 Mountain Bike. It’s been 14 years…..YEARS…since I bought a new MTB. It was time. I probably could have done smarter things with the money, but after putting my first love on the backburner year after year, I took a look at my chronological age and thought if it was going to happen, it probably should happen now.

The XtC is a fairly reasonable mid level bike. Not carbon but lighter than what I’ve been riding, even with it’s disc brakes. I’m also on a larger wheel, a 27.5 (650b). I demoed the XtC 29er and the 27.5 and found the 27.5 much nimbler and responsive than the 29er. The 29er rolls fast but I found you needed to plan turns. When I mountain bike, I find it a reactionary experience…quick decision making on the trail and nimble handling is much appreciated. I’m riding a real upgrade in the XtC. Here are just a few highlights:

I’d like to report more on the riding experience, but truth is, I got it on Saturday and haven’t had a chance to ride it yet. It’s driving me a little insane to have this machine in my living room with 62 degree perfect degree days and me not having the time to ride it. I mean to remedy it soon, and as soon as I do, I’ll give a full rundown of it’s awesomeness.